A nice lesson

Today was our 2nd lesson with Katharina. I was dreading it because I knew I'd be riding. She doesn't ride, and she isn't into ground work. I haven't had a good experience on Mag since May.

We were exhausted from trying to out-walk the horseflies up those hills on the way there, but I'd brought two bottles of ice water on my saddle, as I will the rest of the year.

She gave me permission to lunge Mag first, and I think I heard her commenting that I need to try less energy but I need Mag to learn how to canter on the lunge, and it takes a lot of energy to get him to, and he falls out of the canter constantly. After he started catching on that I was not going to let him break gait, I immediately rewarded him and let him do some nice relaxed jogging, in all 4 corners because they're scary.

I told K that if Mag ever rears or bucks, he needs to be shown that it's unacceptable, by being asked to work hard. She agreed.

She pointed out that Mag's demeanor is much calmer this time. Well, last time was his first time there and I think most young horses wouldn't be calm right away in a new place!

Then I got on but for a while Mag had trouble aligning his hind end with the mounting block when asked. With us both maneuvering him we got a half step. I told her he doesn't know where his hind end is, and he doesn't want to run into things.

Finally mounted I just shut my eyes and breathed there for a couple minutes. Thankfully K agrees with this routine, I told her I always do this. Mag and I both relaxed.

She led us around in 20 meter circles, and she asked me to keep watching where his attention is. If it strays, if he looks at anything with 2 ears, ask him to bend even more though his body, and even leg yield a bit. I admit I'm not accustomed to paying such close attention to his ears, but it seemed to work, and eventually he was focused completely on me (and K).

He has this habit of backing up whenever we ask for a halt. I have no idea why, but she taught me how to correct it with gentle leg pressure.

Mag was dropping his head and neck beautifully when I asked, he seems to have learned that quickly. He was stepping under well when I used my leg and he never once showed any of his resistance techniques. She assured me he never went behind the vertical and praised him for dropping his head whenever I asked. In fact it felt like Baasha, his lovely responses, "OK I'll put my neck lower if you ask."

In fact he never once showed tension. He gave a start when suddenly the wind picked up and apparently tree branches were scraping the roof/metal sides of the arena. I thought it was hailing. But Mag remained calm. K noted it, "Most horses wouldn't be comfortable with that noise, but he's fine."

He yawned a few times, not sure what that was about, but he never chomped the bit in frustration.

I eventually realized I was smiling and having fun, and that this 1st riding lesson there couldn't have gone any better.

When we'd stop and talk, he'd drop his head too low, actually. I think he may have fallen asleep.

Mag, as usual, feels best in arenas. It's wonderful to ride him and feel safe. But I trust that his personality is also good for the outdoors, based on how well he holds it together when something scary happens out there.

Once it starts getting more difficult, I'm sure he'll fight us, but at least I have the chance of getting a good start with him.

I was impressed with K because at the end, she said she wanted to work on the mounting block thing again, getting him to move his hips toward it. So I got back up there and used the reins while she used the rope. We made progress but it's gonna take some time before he willingly swings toward it.

When done, I praised him, she praised him, I loosened the saddle, removed the bit, and rubbed under his bridle.

I asked if I could come over during the week to practice, that I'd pay, but she says they don't normally allow that.

I told her I want to work with cones and poles and start working on trail obstacles. Trail is one of her specialties, and I've always wanted to do Trail.

Mag's temperature is steady at 37.5 these last 3 days, so he is fine.

I let him graze next to the baby cows on the way home, taking our time.

It sure feels good to have had a stress-free ride!